Siobhan Finneran
Actor/Actriz
20
Movies
42
TV Shows
Siobhan Margaret Finneran is an English television and film actress. She made her screen debut in the 1987 independent film Rita, Sue and Bob Too, and subsequently worked consistently in television drama including roles in Coronation Street (1989–1990), Clocking Off (2000–2002) and The Amazing Mrs Pritchard (2006). In 2005, Finneran originated the lead female role in the stage play On the Shore of the Wide World and was awarded the Manchester Evening News Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Also a comedy performer, Finneran appeared as Janice Garvey, a leading character in the first seven series of ITV sitcom Benidorm (2007–2015). Later television roles include portraying a lawyer in the mini-series Unforgiven (2009), an embittered servant in the first three series of the costume drama Downton Abbey (2010–2012) and a recovering addict in Happy Valley (2014–2023), for which she was nominated for the 2017 British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress. Later film credits include Mrs Swift in the 2013 film release The Selfish Giant, which earned her a British Independent Film Award nomination. Finneran is also a prolific television documentary narrator.
Finneran was born in Oldham, Greater Manchester, then in Lancashire, to Irish parents. She moved with her family to Saddleworth as a young child, and has lived in the area ever since. During childhood Finneran was always drawn to the performing arts and was a fan of the celebrated English comedian Eric Morecambe, recalling that "as a little girl I wanted to be Eric Morecambe. Not to be like him but to actually be him". She completed a theatre studies course.
In 2023, Finneran became patron for Manchester based charity Contact Hostel, an organisation that provides support and accommodation for teenage girls facing homelessness.
As Actor/Actress
Doctor Who
Becka Savage
Crimen en el paraíso
Fleur Edwards
Casualty
Sue Stedding
Downton Abbey
Sarah O'Brien
Peak Practice
Caroline Royal
Heartbeat
Janet
Inside No. 9
Edith
Benidorm
Janice Garvey
Los no elegidos
Mrs Phillips
Happy Valley
Clare Cartwright
Hetty Wainthropp Investigates
Peggy Rainford
Blue Murder
Anita Burgess
Wire in the Blood
DI Jan Shields
No hables con extraños
DS Johanna Griffin
Time
Marie-Louise O'Dell
Timeshift
Self - Narrator (voice)
Clocking Off
Julie O'Neill
La Viuda
Sally Newell
The Syndicate
Mandy Atkinson
Protection
DI Liz Nyles
Comedy Showcase
Shirley
Out of the Blue
Fran Paiton
A Confession
Elaine Pickford
The Other One
Marilyn
The Amazing Mrs Pritchard
Beverley Clarke
The Reckoning
Beryl Hullighan
Los Malditos
Helga
Unforgiven
Izzie Ingram
Alma's Not Normal
Lin
Apparitions
Sister Ruth